diff --git a/packages/core/src/tool/plugin/read.ts b/packages/core/src/tool/plugin/read.ts
index cc0f7b0a8b6..5b80d71e61a 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/tool/plugin/read.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/tool/plugin/read.ts
@@ -88,15 +88,15 @@ export const Plugin = {
                 if (result.target.externalDirectory !== undefined) return
                 const resolved = yield* fs.resolve(result.target.absolute)
                 const root = yield* fs.resolve(location.directory)
-                // up() searches its stop directory, so the Location-root AGENTS.md (already
-                // supplied by core initial instructions) is dropped by the dirname filter.
+                // The Location and its ancestors are already supplied by initial instructions,
+                // even when an upward walk from elsewhere in the project cannot reach root.
                 const discovered = yield* fs.up({
                   targets: [FILENAME],
                   start: result.content.type === "list-page" ? resolved : dirname(resolved),
                   stop: root,
                 })
                 const candidates = (yield* Effect.forEach(discovered, fs.resolve)).filter(
-                  (file) => dirname(file) !== root,
+                  (file) => !FSUtil.contains(dirname(file), root),
                 )
                 if (candidates.length === 0) return
                 yield* sessionInstructions.load({ sessionID: context.sessionID, paths: candidates })